it will be underway in about three hours. senior political reporter talked with both campaigns today. he is live in our news from with a preview. >> paul ryan has had eight previous debates. higher stakes, a lot of pressure. the vice president has to be feeling it a little bit, too. the president called him to wish him good luck. both sides recognize how does not take much to shift momentum. the vice president was cheered on as he arrived in kentucky. for anyone who thinks he has a take a few punches strategy, think again. >> paul ryan says he too has

plenty of ammunition. >> what he cannot run from is president obama's record. >> joe biden has passion. paul ryan relies on power points. he'd better have specifics or he will likely be called out. joe biden will rely on foreign policy experience. he has been known to be gaffe prone. >> he made that all remark about the chains. >> what you see is what you get with the vice president. we think that is a real asset. and you trust them. you know that he is being honest. is there an advantage? republicans say of course. >> joe biden has been doing this since the 1800's. >> tonight, joe biden will make

mincemeat of paul ryan. >> keep in mind, either way this is their first and only debate. there is no second chance. >> you can watch the vice- presidential debate right here on abc 7. coverage begins at 9:00. we invite you to log on to wjla.com/reaact from a smart phone or tablet. >> of family just 26 -- the race for president is tightening. mitt romney and president obama are hitting the battleground states. many of the key states are up for grabs. according to the new university survey, governor romney now leads in colorado, but still trailing in virginia and wisconsin. >> a tragic story developing in

baltimore. a grandmother and four young children are dead following a house fire. the fire started around 2:00 this morning. the woman's husband and daughter jumped out of the window and survived. the four children were all under the age of seven. two firefighters were also hurt. >> some changes in the kind of crime being committed at metro stations. violent crime is down, but the steps are up. -- thefts are up. >> if anyone out there it is attached to their smart phone know they have been sufficiently warned to this report. all those criminals lurking in metro stations and trains are also very interested in your smart phone. the smart phone is a critical tool for professional and social interaction.

matra announced quarterly figures up system wide by 7%. due primarily to the theft of electronic devices. >> i am on my smart phone at the same time. >> she keeps all what will i on her phone. >> i heard people were getting their smart phones taken. >> check out these numbers. crimes like car theft and attempted car thefts are weighed down from 207 to 67. robbery's spiked from 429 to 749. we also learned the anacostia station is the most dangerous metro stop, followed by college park and cowdery place. metro officials are so concerned, -- gallery place.

metro officials are so concerned, undercover agents are targeting smart phone thieves. >> the criminals were time it said that they are able to make their escape off the train. the doors close and you cannot even chased after them, not that it is advisable. >> keep it in a safe place. i treated like a baby. >> we also know that crime in metro parking areas has been a huge concern throughout the years. the good news in that regard, crime inside those parking areas is down 26%. >> can the beard of the sport could shooting suspect be forcibly shaped -- shaved? the trial is on hold pending the decision. he says he grew a beard for religious reasons. the appeals court is looking

into the claim that his lawyer that the judge is biased and should be replaced. >> there is a new chapter in the showdown over gambling in maryland. a new study indicates that expanded gambling will not bring in as much revenue as supporters said it well. 47% of their revenue of that in the casino is existing gaming revenue. the expansion would generate close to $200 million a year for maryland schools. >> a showing of solidarity outside reagan national today. >> new hope that the job market is picking up. the latest numbers from the unemployment office. >> clear skies, 58 degrees outside.

let me tell you how i will create 12 million jobs when president obama couldn't. first my energy independence policy means more than three million new jobs. maf of them in manufacturing.

my tax reform plan to lower rarates for the middle class and for small business creates seven million more. and expanding trade, cracking down on china and improving job training takes us to over 12 million new jobs. i'mitt romney, and i approve this message. take away his toys and he'll play with a stick. take away their bikes and they'll still find a way to get where they're going. but if take you away early childhood education... slash k-12 funding... and cut college aid for middle class families ... they won't g go far. yet that's exactly what mitt romney wants to do... ...to pay for a $250,000 tax break for multi-millionaires. if mitt romney wins, the middle class loses. priorities usa action is responsible for the content of this advertising.

>> you are watching abc 7 news at 6, on your side. >> a firsthand look at the labor issues plaguing american airlines. >> we were at reagan national this morning where pilots were picketing. they're pushing to secure new

contracts. it is the latest issue plaguing the airlines on top of maintenance problems that are causing a number of delays and cancellations. the airline sent us a statement today. american airlines had said it is working to ensure the current problems will not affect holiday travel. >> things could be looking up when it comes to finding a job. the number of people applying for unemployment benefits has dropped to its lowest levels. jobs report showed the unemployment rate had fallen below 8%. >> if your automobile is not getting gasoline mileage be used to get, it might not be your car. according to a new study, at newer cars are getting lighter drivers are getting heavier. 100 extra pounds can lower the car's mileage per gallon by up to 2%. plane ticket prices have been up

partly because the airlines are using more gas to carry heavier passengers. >> we take a look at how long the nice weather is going to stick around. >> i have the very latest on robert griffin the third. the nationals are battling to stay alive in the series. a beautiful day. i will take to downtown. [ barack obama ] i'm barack obama and i approve this message. [ female announcer ] he says... president obama and i both care about or and middle-class families. [ female announcer ] but this is what the budget plan mitt romney supports actually does.oe more huge tax breaks skewed to the wealthy. while cutting nearly eight hundred billion from medicaid... even though middle-class families rely on medicaid to help loved ones cover nursing-home care. and it helps parents support children with disabilities. if mitt romney really "cares," wouldn't we see

it in his priorities?

>> the national's are trying to win the playoffs game. game 4 of the national division series. >> we're live the nationals park with more on a fan reaction. >> down to the wire in box against the wall. fans know that if they want to continue to see baseball played. this season, losing is not an option. positive, but nervous. fans came to the part knowing

their team storybook season could come to an end. >> they have to win today. >> this seven-year-old's dad brought his son to the game knowing it could be the last they will see this year. fans came with their favorite charms to turn the teams look around. >> we have not lost a single game that he has been act. he is a good luck charm. >> he brought the baseball card and his favorite player. in 1955. >> he never got to a playoff game before. i thought it would be a great way. >> they have to get things going in game 4. the fans want to do their part to help out. >> teddy was the big winner

today in the race between innings. let's of the nationals can do the same thing. we're at the bottom of the seventh and the score is tied. >> it is really tough, coming out here. trying to watch a baseball game. >> we will do a time lapse out of annapolis. a giant jellyfish was spotted it is actually the sunrise. it was a beautiful day with light winds and cold temperatures. we will have a very cool and clear night. temperatures right now are starting down. down to 59, the sun sets in 20 minutes. 59 right now in alexandria. 54 degrees in middletown.

63 the high as reagan national. 70 is our average. there shall worse -- all we will see is a little cloudiness tomorrow morning. behind the front, we are getting a surge of air. we will have a lot of sunshine tomorrow afternoon. here is the way our futurecast computer model sees it. high pressure will take over. after a few clouds, we will turn out to be pretty sunny. saturday morning, a kind of chilly to say the least. by saturday afternoon, 60's. by sunday, this will move over had as well. snowstorms in sight. our forecast for tonight -- no storms in sight. 11:00 tonight, we will have a few clouds. by midday, we will start to

clear things out again. it will warm up to the 60's. there is one headline and this concerns tomorrow night and saturday morning. a freeze watch pointed north and west of the area. temperatures could be in the upper 20's and lower 30's. saturday the lower 60's after tomorrow. there is that bounce back, at 70's on sunday. the next cold front may give us a scattered showers on monday. >> thank you. >> the toyota sports desk, brought to you by your local toyota dealers. >> interesting. >> zimmerman comes out of the bullpen. it is a must-win situation for

the nationals. the ballpark is rocking what a crowd. it was electric all afternoon. let's pick it up in the bottom of the second. he had been in a slump. he beryls this thing to center field, could buy. washington's first postseason home run. top of the third, the cardinals got an unearned run. it was a 1-1 game. that is where they are still tied in the top of the eighth. i will keep you posted. let's go to cincinnati, giants and reds. see ya. left field 417 feet. the giants' comeback after losing the first two games. they win the best of 5, 6-4. sadness at of new york city.

joe's still says he will manage tonight against the orioles in game 4. everyone is still talking about last night. he blasted two zingers. this shot in the 12th. up 2-1. game 4 is tonight. >> how big is the not in your stomach? >> i do not having not in my stomach. -- a knot in my stomach. >> he does not have they knot. that was not the only walk off. detroit and oakland. smith will try to score from second. yes, sir. the a's when bank and the

dramatic season continues. -- win and the dramatic season continues. the redskins play host to the vikings on sunday. while all the other nfl matches have been updated in las vegas, the odds on the redskins have not because of the uncertainty around rgiii. he was back on the field today. everybody is optimistic that he will start on sunday. but the cable be the defense. -- but the key will be the defense. >> he looks pretty good. he still has great vision. he is not 100%, he is 98%. >> basketball fans, the wizard's play a preseason game. tipoff is 7:00 at the verizon center. the nationals and cardinals are in the eighth inning, that game is still tied at one.

>> we pamela howze: it just seems like such an... infringement on our lives. how dare they step into my life that way. it's none of their business. he's trying to restrict us again. he's taking us backwards. george allen is the last thing we need in washington. anncr: the democratic

senatorial campaign committee is... responsible for the content of this advertising. alexis douglas: i can remember when i was younger and... my family was not necessarily financially stable. we were poor. anncr: then alexis got a job at the mgm casino in michigan. and it changed her life. alexis: i started as a wardrobe clerk. but then i was able to work my way up. i got a 401k, i have health insurance... and i make great money. anncr: in maryland, question seven will create... twelve thousand jobs. from hotel and restaurant staff to accountants... and construction workers. alexis: if you want a great place to work with good pay... and great benefits, vote for question seven.

>> let's give you a live look from our live camera. crystal clear skies. 10 minutes from sun said. tanagers and the 60's tomorrow.

back -- temperatures in the 60's tomorrow. there is a dip into the 20's north and west of town. we will have a freeze watch in effect. check out wjla.com. >> great. nationals and cardinals are still tied at line. -- at one. >> do not forget the vice- presidential debate at 9:00. >> have a great night, everybody.

[ female announcer ] it's one of the hardest decisions a faly can make... realizing a nursing home is the only choice. for many middle class families medicaid is the only way to afford the care. but as a governor, mitt romney raised nursing home fees eight times. and as president, his s budget cuts medicaid by-tne-third and burdens families with the cost of nursing home care. we have a president who won't let that happen. [ obama ] i'm bai'rack obama and i approved this message. [ male announcer ] we the people, the middle class who move our country forward, work hard raise families, and keep america strong. but mitt romney's budget plan will hurt the middle class, raising taxes on the average family by up to $2,000 while giving a tax break of $250,000 to multimillionaires. doesn't mitt romney understand we can't rebuild america by tearing down the middle class. priorities

usa action is responsible for the content of this advertising.

let me tell you how i will create 12 million jobs when president obama couldn't. first my energy independence policy means more than three million new jobs. many of them in manufacturing. my tax reform plan to lower rates for the middle class and for small business creates seven million more. and expanding trade, cracking down on china and improving job training takes us to over 12 million new jobs. i'm mitt romney,y, and d i approve is message.